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MB is not stupid. Is piling up assets ever a bad thing? Even if they are small assets.. Desharnais will bounce back with a better year than last and he just signed an extension. = Not going anywhere.
Can anyone confirm if Gionta has a full no-move clause? I think he only gets moved at the trade deadline if the Habs are out of the playoff picture, otherwise he finishes out his contract and leaves via F.A.
Briere and Gallagher are both here to stay.

Getting bigger/tougher is a big part of M.B.'s agenda going forward. It was evident last week at the draft. However, this takes time. M.B. has already said this won't happen overnight. It will be a gradual process and imo we will be a much bigger, tougher team in 2-3 years time. As some posters have pointed out, this is our ideal time to become a legit contender. Most of our core will be in their prime and a lot of our young guys will be entering their prime.

Getting bigger/tougher is a big part of M.B.'s agenda going forward. It was evident last week at the draft. However, this takes time. M.B. has already said this won't happen overnight. It will be a gradual process and imo we will be a much bigger, tougher team in 2-3 years time. As some posters have pointed out, this is our ideal time to become a legit contender. Most of our core will be in their prime and a lot of our young guys will be entering their prime.

And how does signing Briere fits in that... 'plan'... ? I just don't see it.

I wonder if the Brière deal could have something to do with Gionta considering retirement. The last few years have be difficult on him. After a surgery to his second bicep, he might regress even more. Maybe Bergevin has seen some bad medical reports.

If that's the case, then Gionta is on long term IR, and the Habs have 5 millions more in cap space.

I wonder if the Brière deal could have something to do with Gionta considering retirement. The last few years have be difficult on him. After a surgery to his second bicep, he might regress even more. Maybe Bergevin has seen some bad medical reports.

If that's the case, then Gionta is on long term IR, and the Habs have 5 millions more in cap space.

Just speculating...

Gionta is gonna be ready for the start of the year he said...

Also while he lost a step, he is far from done, he would have been on pace for about 24 goals in a full year, around what he averages.

I have to go with "neither". At least, not soon. Gionta after this coming season. Desharnais whenever he sucks bad enough to basically be released/demoted/traded for a 5th round. But we start the season with both of them.

Since the cap hit is a bit more, what if the Jackets agreed to pay a half million per year of RJU's salary (allowable under the new CBA) which would make the deal cap neutral, would that make the deal a no-brainer for you?

Since the cap hit is a bit more, what if the Jackets agreed to pay a half million per year of RJU's salary (allowable under the new CBA) which would make the deal cap neutral, would that make the deal a no-brainer for you?

Since the cap hit is a bit more, what if the Jackets agreed to pay a half million per year of RJU's salary (allowable under the new CBA) which would make the deal cap neutral, would that make the deal a no-brainer for you?

I seriously don't get the Gionta criticism. Last season he was on 82 game pace for 25 goals. And he gets them in the dirty areas by working well in the corner and in front of the net. He leverages his small size (very strong + low centre of gravity) well there.

Top 6 players who do that well do not grow on trees. There's only a handful in the league who score more than 25 goals in these areas, players like Vanek who cost a lot more. Ontop of that Gionta + Plekanec is our best defensive tandem for 5v5 and PK.

Yes he is 34 but he seems to be in good shape still, has wheels. You may as well keep him until he clearly starts regressing on the ice, he will be harder to replace than people think.

DD on the other hand has done OK work as an offensive centre, 50-60 points in the NHL is nothing to scoff at. But he doesn't bring much else to the table (plays soft, weak defence) so is much more expendable since the Habs have nice depth at C. MB hasn't been able to trade DD yet, but I think DD will have trade value later as a backup option for teams that need more offence in their top 9 and don't get their first choice from free agency or trades.

I seriously don't get the Gionta criticism. Last season he was on 82 game pace for 25 goals. And he gets them in the dirty areas by working well in the corner and in front of the net. He leverages his small size (very strong + low centre of gravity) well there.

I don't think anyone, and I mean anyone worth listening to (who watched all the games rather than simply looked at the goal/points total at season's end), would describe Gionta's play in '12/13 like you just did, and that's probably part of the disconnect.